Photo Credit: Professional Cricketers’ Association
- Michael Pepper wins award with more than 50% of public vote
- Kathryn Bryce scores 355 runs in June to win Player of the Month
- Pepper: “Knowing that people are voting for you is a great feeling and keeps you motivated”
- Bryce: “I’m delighted to win the award, it’s been great to contribute to winning a trophy with The Blaze”
Essex’s Michael Pepper and The Blaze’s Kathryn Bryce have been voted the PCA Players of the Month for June following some fantastic displays in the domestic game.
The pair were shortlisted through the PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings, powered by Argentex, for their remarkable performances in June as the top four players according to the unique algorithm from the men’s and women’s game faced a public vote. The winners were decided by a 50:50 split between the PCA MVP Rankings and the supporters poll.
For the men’s category, Pepper won more than half the public vote alongside being the highest ranked player on the MVP Rankings in June. Following his England Test call up, Surrey’s Jamie Smith came second, whilst Warwickshire teammates Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley were third and fourth respectively.
In the women’s game, Bryce also received the highest percentage of the public vote alongside being ranked the best player on the MVP Rankings to give her the award. Sunrisers Grace Scrivens climbed up to second with a strong public vote as Northern Diamonds’ Hollie Armitage finished third with Sarah Bryce in fourth.
Pepper voted best player in June
A phenomenal month from Pepper with the bat in the Vitality Blast saw him score 326 runs at an average of 54.3, earning him 170 MVP points.
The 26-year-old also portrayed his capabilities behind the stumps with 11 dismissals in the Vitality County Championship.
The wicketkeeper-batter won two Match MVP awards in June, his innings of 101 off 44 balls against Middlesex earned him the most MVP points of any Martch MVP in the month with 55.
An innings of 76 off 42 balls against Kent also won him a Match MVP in the Battle of the Bridge as Essex won by five wickets.
Pepper will receive a bespoke Mappin & Webb trophy for winning the June PCA Player of the Month and described what it was like to win the accolade.
“It feels good to win it, I’d actually forgotten about being nominated with how busy the schedule is but it’s great to win against some other really good nominees.
“It’s always nice keeping the award at Essex with Coxy (Jordan Cox) winning it last month and I’ve been able to learn some valuable things off him, he’s an amazing player.
“We’re in a very strong position for competing for trophies but the schedule has been relentless. It’s been difficult with no rest days and jumping from T20 to red-ball, with all the travel as well and no time for training, it’s tough on the body and the mind.
“It’s great to hear that the fans are backing me, knowing that people are voting for you, is a great feeling and keeps you motivated.”
Bryce wins June PCA Player of the Month
The Scotland captain produced a brilliant run-scoring month in June, amassing 355 runs, alongside taking five wickets, earning 167 MVP points.
Bryce played a pivotal part in The Blaze being crowned Charlotte Edwards Cup winners, earning the Match MVP in the final for her 62 off 45 balls and figures of 1-13.
The 26-year-old picked up another Match MVP against Sunrisers for a blistering unbeaten innings of 57 off 37 balls, which included a 100-run partnership with her sister, Sarah.
The all-rounder also leads the Overall Domestic Women’s MVP table, having picked up the Charlotte Edwards Cup Player of the Year award.
Bryce will also receive a bespoke Mappin & Webb trophy and spoke about winning the Player of the Month award, which she was nominated for alongside her sister, Sarah.
“I actually found out I’d won on the way to training in the car with Sarah (Bryce) so it was a bit awkward, but she was pleased for me.
“I’m delighted to win the award, it’s been great to be able to contribute for The Blaze and win a trophy, we’ve come close a couple of times so to win one is fantastic.
“Really happy with the runs I’ve scored, I probably scored more runs in June than the whole of last season but it was nice to carry on some good form.
“I’ve got to keep working hard for the Overall MVP because I know Kirstie (Gordon) will be pushing me hard to get ahead again.
“It makes me happy that people are voting for me and that my performances are being recognised.
“Sarah (Bryce) had a great month behind the stumps and has played a strong supporting role with the bat as well.”
Find out more about the MVP Rankings and view the domestic men’s and women’s tables.
Name of Author: Professional Cricketers Association
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), founded in 1967 by former England fast bowler Fred Rumsey as the Cricketers’ Association, represents past and present first-class cricketers in England and Wales. In the 1970s, the PCA established a standard employment contract and minimum wage for professional cricketers. It also helped create a pension scheme in 1995 and launched the magazine All Out Cricket and the ACE UK Educational Programme in 2002.
